Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 16 of 46

Thread: TV License - Is it harder to avoid paying?

  1. #1
    Squeeler Vini's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Sheffield
    Posts
    1,769
    Thanks
    44
    Thanked
    8 times in 8 posts

    TV License - Is it harder to avoid paying?

    I live with a friend in a flat, our TV is solely used for Xbox and DVD's and NEVER TV. Our TV Lic is up for renewal...

    Is it more difficult to avoid paying it, than just splashing out?

  2. #2
    Never try, never fail!
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Posts
    853
    Thanks
    36
    Thanked
    19 times in 17 posts

    Re: TV License - Is it harder to avoid paying?

    yes you get caught and then they read you your rights when they caution you on your doorstep. Must say i found the whole thing very amusing

    if your tv has a tuner then you need a license regardless if you are using it or not i believe.

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    259
    Thanks
    15
    Thanked
    19 times in 16 posts
    • rs4847's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASRock X570 Creator
      • CPU:
      • AMD Ryzen 9 5950X + Corsair H115i PRO RGB XT
      • Memory:
      • 64GB Corsair Vengeance LPX CMK64GX4M2D3600C18
      • Storage:
      • Samsung 980 Pro 1TB + 860 EVO 1TB SSDs, 2x4TB Hitachi Deskstar NAS RAID1
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Nvidia RTX3090 Founders Edition
      • PSU:
      • Corsair RM1000i
      • Case:
      • Fractal Design Define 7 XL
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 Pro x64
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell S2716DG + Ilyama ProLite E2473HS
      • Internet:
      • Virgin Media Gig1

    Re: TV License - Is it harder to avoid paying?

    TV Licensing are scum, not only do you get threating letters, they also send round the heavymob from time to time that try to gain access to your property without a warrant.

    You can inform them that you have no need for a license, but you have to keep reminding them every three months otherwise you'll end up back on their DB.

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    326
    Thanks
    38
    Thanked
    15 times in 13 posts
    • Krakkenbus's system
      • Motherboard:
      • MSI P55-GD65
      • CPU:
      • i5 750 @ 3.4GHz
      • Memory:
      • 8GB G.skill Ripjaw
      • Storage:
      • 6TB+
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 2GB 6950
      • PSU:
      • Enermax Liberty 620W
      • Case:
      • Coolermaster Cosmos
      • Operating System:
      • 7 Ultimate 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • 2xSamsung 22"
      • Internet:
      • FTTC @ 50 Mb/s

    Re: TV License - Is it harder to avoid paying?

    Afaik you don't need a TV licence to use a TV to play DVDs and your xbox

    The only time you need one is when you actually watch it, as in bbc1 and whatever

  5. #5
    mutantbass head Lee H's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    M28, Manchester
    Posts
    14,204
    Thanks
    337
    Thanked
    671 times in 580 posts
    • Lee H's system
      • Motherboard:
      • MSI Z370 Carbon Gaming
      • CPU:
      • Intel i7 8700K Unlocked CPU
      • Memory:
      • 16 GB Corsair Vengeance 3200 LPX
      • Storage:
      • 250GB 960 EVO + a few more drives
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 6GB Palit GTX 1060 Dual
      • PSU:
      • Antec Truepower 750W Modular Blue
      • Case:
      • Corsair 600T White Edition
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 PRO
      • Monitor(s):
      • 27" Asus MX279H & 24" Acer 3D GD245HQ + the 3D glasses
      • Internet:
      • Virgin Media

    Re: TV License - Is it harder to avoid paying?

    if your going to be using bbc iplayer or any other similar on demand system then you'll need a license.

  6. #6
    Squeeler Vini's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Sheffield
    Posts
    1,769
    Thanks
    44
    Thanked
    8 times in 8 posts

    Re: TV License - Is it harder to avoid paying?

    Quote Originally Posted by Krakkenbus View Post
    The only time you need one is when you actually watch it, as in bbc1 and whatever

    Exactly, but it's probably easier to just pay the £140 and be without the hassle of them cold calling etc...

    We don't watch anything at all. Perhaps the odd Who's Line is it Anyway on Dave when we're really really bored... but we could do without that.

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    326
    Thanks
    38
    Thanked
    15 times in 13 posts
    • Krakkenbus's system
      • Motherboard:
      • MSI P55-GD65
      • CPU:
      • i5 750 @ 3.4GHz
      • Memory:
      • 8GB G.skill Ripjaw
      • Storage:
      • 6TB+
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 2GB 6950
      • PSU:
      • Enermax Liberty 620W
      • Case:
      • Coolermaster Cosmos
      • Operating System:
      • 7 Ultimate 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • 2xSamsung 22"
      • Internet:
      • FTTC @ 50 Mb/s

    Re: TV License - Is it harder to avoid paying?

    If it was me, I'd not pay the £140.

    I'd just go about declaring that you don't actually use it for terrestrial vewing

  8. #8
    Banhammer in peace PeterB kalniel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    31,023
    Thanks
    1,870
    Thanked
    3,381 times in 2,718 posts
    • kalniel's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Ultra
      • CPU:
      • Intel i9 9900k
      • Memory:
      • 32GB DDR4 3200 CL16
      • Storage:
      • 1TB Samsung 970Evo+ NVMe
      • Graphics card(s):
      • nVidia GTX 1060 6GB
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic 600W
      • Case:
      • Cooler Master HAF 912
      • Operating System:
      • Win 10 Pro x64
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell S2721DGF
      • Internet:
      • rubbish

    Re: TV License - Is it harder to avoid paying?

    It depends what the TV was purchased/installed for.

    If the TV was originally purchased/installed for watching any television service then you need a license.

    Removing the installation (ie, removing aerial cable, untuning the TV) should be sufficient to get around it, but you'll have to cope with inspections to prove that you've not subsequently installed it again.

  9. #9
    Senior Member usxhe190's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    1,688
    Thanks
    149
    Thanked
    82 times in 63 posts

    Re: TV License - Is it harder to avoid paying?

    You don't need a license if you are not watching BROADCAST TV. It doesn't matter if what was the original intention. If you stop using your TV to receive TV broadcast, you don't have to pay anymore.

    I.e. if you are using your tv just for DVDs and Xbox, you do NOT have to pay license.

    HOWEVER, the BBC and TVL will keep harassing you with threathing letters (because they think no one in the right mind would have a TV just for DVD and not watching broadcast TV).

    Just remember that they do not have police powers (i.e. cannot caution you), and you don't need to open the door to them - they are just salesmen.

    You don't have to tell them you aren't using your TV to watch broadcasts. Even if you tell them you don't watch broadcast TV, they think you have to give them the right to access your home to check. That is a lie, you don't have to.

  10. #10
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Birmingham/London
    Posts
    377
    Thanks
    11
    Thanked
    26 times in 25 posts
    • rufeo's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P8Z77V
      • CPU:
      • Intel i5 3570K
      • Memory:
      • 2 x 4GB Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracer 1600 Mhz
      • Storage:
      • 1 x 256GB Samsung 830 SSD, 3 x Samsung F1 1TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Gigabyte GTX 670 Windforce
      • PSU:
      • Corsair HX 850W
      • Case:
      • Cooler Master Cosmos 2
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 64-bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Hyundai W240 PVA

    Re: TV License - Is it harder to avoid paying?

    we've got a tv at the flat, but not using it for watching broadcasted tv. what i did was call up the tv licensing company and told them that we have a tv but not using for broadcasted tv. they said they would update their records and stop sending the letters. they also said that they would send someone over to check, but that never happened and its been almost two yrs. mind you they do send a reminder each yr so you'll have to tell them each yr that you're not using it.

  11. #11
    Banhammer in peace PeterB kalniel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    31,023
    Thanks
    1,870
    Thanked
    3,381 times in 2,718 posts
    • kalniel's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Ultra
      • CPU:
      • Intel i9 9900k
      • Memory:
      • 32GB DDR4 3200 CL16
      • Storage:
      • 1TB Samsung 970Evo+ NVMe
      • Graphics card(s):
      • nVidia GTX 1060 6GB
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic 600W
      • Case:
      • Cooler Master HAF 912
      • Operating System:
      • Win 10 Pro x64
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell S2721DGF
      • Internet:
      • rubbish

    Re: TV License - Is it harder to avoid paying?

    Quote Originally Posted by usxhe190 View Post
    You don't need a license if you are not watching BROADCAST TV. It doesn't matter if what was the original intention. If you stop using your TV to receive TV broadcast, you don't have to pay anymore.
    That's not how I understood the license act - it seems to say that usage isn't all that important, it's the fact you have a TV that's installed to recieve television services that causes you to need a license.

    So even if you just use it for DVDs/Xbox, if you are capable of recieving channels on the TV then you have to have a license.

  12. #12
    Senior Member joshwa's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Sheffield, UK
    Posts
    4,847
    Thanks
    126
    Thanked
    67 times in 62 posts
    • joshwa's system
      • Motherboard:
      • PC Chips M577 AT/ATX
      • CPU:
      • AMD K6-2 500Mhz
      • Memory:
      • 128mb PC100 SDRAM
      • Storage:
      • 8GB Fujitsu
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 3dfx Voodoo 3 3000 AGP (16mb)
      • PSU:
      • ATX 500watt
      • Case:
      • Midi Tower AT
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 98 SE
      • Monitor(s):
      • 22" TFT Widescreen

    Re: TV License - Is it harder to avoid paying?

    If you don't watch TV, then write them a letter stating you don't use the TV, send it recorded, they'll usually leave you alone for 2 - 3 years then check again. (remind them it's their duty under the data protection act to keep their records up to date)

    DVDs, XBOX, is fine, and doesn't need a tv license. BBC iplayer (link) / Channel4 online (4OD), and other online stuff does not currently require a TV license. (check their terms and conditions...) but it may require a TV license if they start doing live broadcasts over the internet...

  13. #13
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    East Kent
    Posts
    393
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked
    12 times in 12 posts
    • spiral out's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P5K-E
      • CPU:
      • q6600 @ 3.2Ghz
      • Memory:
      • 8GB Corsair xms2
      • Storage:
      • Sandisk Extream 120GB Samsung 500GB/1TB Seagate 500GB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Asus 8800GT
      • PSU:
      • Corsair 520
      • Case:
      • Enermax Ostrog white
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 home 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • ViewSonic 22” VX2255wmb
      • Internet:
      • Sky Fibre 40/10

    Re: TV License - Is it harder to avoid paying?

    I use my TV solely for computer and dvd watching and have made the TV license people aware of this and they have no problem with it at all.

    You only need a license if you watch TV as it's broadcast.

  14. #14
    The Irish Drunk! neonplanet40's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Stirling
    Posts
    5,305
    Thanks
    1,103
    Thanked
    268 times in 187 posts
    • neonplanet40's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte X470 Aorus Gaming 7 Wi-Fi
      • CPU:
      • AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
      • Memory:
      • Patriot 32 GB DDR4 3200 MHz
      • Storage:
      • 1TB WD_Black SN770, 1TB Koxia nvme
      • Graphics card(s):
      • MSI RTX4070Ti Gaming X TRIO
      • PSU:
      • Enermax Supernova G6 850W
      • Case:
      • Lian LI Lancool 3
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 27" U2715H & Gigabyte M27Q
      • Internet:
      • 1Gbe

    Re: TV License - Is it harder to avoid paying?

    To be honest i was in the halls at uni this year and they sent us all legal documents telling us we were going to court etc. I didnt pay and neither did the rest of the people i live with. The reception was terrible and the only channels we received was RTE.

    So they just seem to use alot of scare tactics and by the time they would eventually send someone we had already moved out as it was the end of the year! They wont be getting a penny of me.
    Home Entertainment =Epson TW9400, Denon AVRX6300H, Panasonic DPUB450EBK 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray and Monitor Audio Silver RX 7.0, Monitor Audio CT265IDC(x4) Dolby Atmos and XTZ 12.17 Sub - (Config 7.1.4)
    My System=Gigabyte X470 Aorus Gaming 7 Wi-Fi, AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D, Patriot 32 GB DDR4 3200MHz, 1TB WD_Black SN770, 1TB Koxia nvme, MSI RTX4070Ti Gaming X TRIO, Enermax Supernova G6 850W, Lian LI Lancool 3, 2x QHD 27in Monitors. Denon AVR1700H & Wharfedale DX-2 5.1 Sound
    Home Server 2/HTPC - Ryzen 5 3600, Asus Strix B450, 16GB Ram, EVGA GT1030 SC, 2x 2TB Cruscial SSD, Corsair TX550, Plex Server & Nvidia Shield Pro 4K
    Diskstation/HTPC - Synology DS1821+ 16GB Ram - 10Gbe NIC with 45TB & Synology DS1821+ 8GB Ram - 10Gbe NIC with 14TB & Synology DS920+ 9TB
    Portable=Microsoft Surface Pro 4, Huawei M5 10" & HP Omen 15 laptop

  15. #15
    Senior Member usxhe190's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    1,688
    Thanks
    149
    Thanked
    82 times in 63 posts

    Re: TV License - Is it harder to avoid paying?

    Quote Originally Posted by kalniel View Post
    That's not how I understood the license act - it seems to say that usage isn't all that important, it's the fact you have a TV that's installed to recieve television services that causes you to need a license.

    So even if you just use it for DVDs/Xbox, if you are capable of recieving channels on the TV then you have to have a license.
    The general interpretation that is accepted under law and by both TVLicensing and BBC within FOI requests is if you have a TV and you don't plug it to an ariel to watch broadcast tv, you are fine.

    Obviously, it is another matter whether TVL actually adhere to this in their practices.

  16. #16
    Senior Member usxhe190's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    1,688
    Thanks
    149
    Thanked
    82 times in 63 posts

    Re: TV License - Is it harder to avoid paying?

    Quote Originally Posted by joshwa View Post
    If you don't watch TV, then write them a letter stating you don't use the TV, send it recorded, they'll usually leave you alone for 2 - 3 years then check again. (remind them it's their duty under the data protection act to keep their records up to date)
    They might replied back and say they want to check your premises to confirm this. They have no right for this and at which point, you have NO obligation to let them into your private premises.

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Windows Vista retail doomed unless Microsoft cuts prices?
    By Bob Crabtree in forum HEXUS News
    Replies: 132
    Last Post: 02-04-2007, 01:05 PM
  2. TV License
    By lost eden in forum General Discussion
    Replies: 60
    Last Post: 31-01-2007, 01:07 PM
  3. Official Vista Retail License
    By kalniel in forum Software
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 15-01-2007, 05:29 PM
  4. Mechcommander 2
    By Lee H in forum Gaming
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 23-03-2006, 05:59 PM
  5. DVLA - license exchange/renewal
    By Taz in forum Automotive
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 28-02-2006, 09:39 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •